I do not understand why we do not see more of the Adventure on our roads considering how good the car is.
I have been thinking of buying a car for the past couple of months or so. I test-drove the corsa (it was the last unit that the dealer had :) and found it a bit cramped. I’m 5’9’’ and reasonably well-built and like lots of space.
My bank sent me a booklet advertising cars from TATA and Fiat - that was when I got to know that they’ve merged the distribution network. It seems a very smart move from the point of view of both the manufacturers. Neither eats into each other’s segment and Fiat’s after sales network gets expanded. I fell in love with the looks of the car from the photo in the booklet!!!
But anyways getting to the topic of this review - Adventure!!!
When I went to the dealer, he told me that the car was in the workshop in Bowenpally and hence we would have to go there to take the test drive. He pulled out a beaten-up Bajaj Chetak and with me pillion we got to the workshop.
My first reaction on seeing the car was that it did not look as huge as in the photo - well, after all, it is the Palio with a boot, so wrong expectations there. The bullbar and the fog-lamps do look very very sexy. The mouldings around the wheel, the black door-handles with ’’Adventure’’ moulded on to them, the ski-rack, the foot-step, all give it a pretty macho image. The doors have the same three-step closing system as the Palio and give a very secure feeling when you shut them - you know you are getting more metal for your money.
The attendant/driver took the car through traffic, filled petrol and then gave the keys to me to drive on a relatively open stretch of road. The cabin kind of wraps itself around the driver which I found cool. The center-piece of the dashboard (the one with the AC and the not-a-standard-accessory music system) is titled towards the driver for easy accessibility which is very thoughtful. The speedmeter in the test-drive vehicle was not working - so I could not check what was the top speed I reached.
The car has superb response - both to the gas-pedal and the brake-pedal. I tested the brakes quite a few times - slamming them to the floor after zooming to the 80s. (The attendant sitting beside said it was going at 100/110, but I feel he was just saying that to make me feel good). Each time the brakes were slammed, the car came to a superb halt in a straight line - No weaving, no nothing.
The car pulls in each gear comfortably and gives the impression that it can take more punishment. Handling is superb, thanks to the Pirelli tubeless 14-inchers and the responsive Power Steering.
The build of the car is very sturdy - its a one-tonner unlike other sedans in this price-band which weigh 850-900 kgs. I lifted the hood and boy, it is heavy unlike say, the Esteem. I opened the boot and IT IS HUGE!!! very much fun!!! Enough and more space to carry over twenty crates of beer :)
Overall, its a superb car. Good strong build, enough and more power, macho looks, good handling and braking. The only negative point that I can think of is that I don’t know how well will the Fiat after-sales integrate with TATA. And anyways, going by my teeny-tiny experience with TATA’s service (the Chetak ride to the workshop, test-drive Indica running out of petrol) I am not too convinced.
I can not comment about the fuel-efficieny since I had only a test-drive but should be a bit lower than the Palio Sport considering that the same engine pulls a heavier frame here.
I would very much like to go for this car - It costs 6.38 on road which is a very good value-for-money considering the looks, power, handling and fun. Will check out the Flair soon and then make a decision.